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Issue 3: April 26, 2021

In this Issue

Directors' Forum News & Updates
 
BOARD UPDATES

Announcing New Dates and Theme for Fall Conference

After careful thought and deliberation, the Board has decided to reschedule the dates for the in-person conference to November 25 - 27, 2021. The objective is to allow for more time between the vaccination rollout and the event, which was initally scheduled to take place in early October. 

The Board will continue to monitor the pandemic and the vaccination rollout in the months and weeks leading up to the conference, and abide by any Government mandated rules and regulations for gatherings, should they be permitted at that time.  

While recognizing that the in-person event is the ideal scenario, they are also planning - for the first-time ever - to offer delegates the opportunity to attend the entire event virtually, so as to be inclusive of those directors who are unable to attend in-person. Should the government declare that larger indoor gatherings will not be permissable at that time, the entire conference will be held virtually.

Starting with the November conference - and carrying through to a new series of virtual sessions between January and June 2022 - sessions will focus on the premise that the role of credit unions, co-operatives and mutuals is to serve their members and communities. This purpose means that boards should also be considering their role in society and how we can work to improve society as organisations. This year we will explore - on the heels of the pandemic - what the role of the board is in societal transformation.

Registration will open on July 1st, but  fees and details are now available online. We hope to see you all in November!

A Sneak Peek at What's in Store...

The Board is hard at work making plans for what is shaping up to be another great conference! They have chosen a variety of topics that address important societal challenges, and the opportunities that credit unions have in responding to them. A variety of guest speakers,  moderators and presenters from within and outside the system will offer delegates

the expertise and information they need to consider these opportunities, while strengthening their organizations. Here's a sneak peek at the sessions they are working on for our directors...
  • National Update from the Canadian Credit Union Association
  • Co-operative Values as a Competitive Advantage for Credit Unions
  • Co-operative Collaborations that Transform Communities (panel discussion)
  • The She-Economy: How Credit Unions can Drive the Change
  • Climate-related Financial Risks and Opportunities for Credit Unions (panel discussion)
  • Simulating Hindsight, Oversight and Foresight (1/2 CE credit with CUDA)
  • Conference Highlights/Wrap-up with Alisdair Smith, with special guest Kerr Smith

In addition to the November conference, the Directors' Forum will also host a new series of virtual governance sessions between January and June 2022. All Directors who are paid registrants of the November conference will be able to attend the virtual sessions free of charge.

Visit us online in the coming weeks and months for more information!

EVENTS

May 19 Virtual Governance Session 

For all those that have joined - or wanted to join but couldn't - our virtual sessions over the past 8 months, you will not want to miss this interactive session with one of our most engaging presenters, Alisdair Smith! He will look back at some of the highlights and key learnings of past sessions and package them in a way that will (hopefully!) inspire and provoke more discussion and action around the board table.  
 
Click to register for this free session now!

Save the Date!

The very first AGM of the Directors' Forum Co-operative will take place in-person and/or virtually on Friday, November 26! At this time, an election will be held for four seats on the Board. The persons who get the most and second most votes during the election will fill and serve the three year terms, and the persons receiving the third and fourth most votes 
will fill and serve the two year terms (unless people volunteer to take the lesser term). 
  • The term for Anthony Piscitelli (Chair) is up in 2021. Due to not having an AGM in 2020, his seat will be up for election for a 2-year term. Anthony will be running for re-election.
  • The term for Kathy Stewart (Treasurer) is also up in 2021. Due to not having an AGM in 2020, her seat will be up for election for a 2-year term. Kathy will be running for re-election.
  • The term for Tanya Gracie (Vice-Chair) is up in 2021. Her seat will be up for election for a 3-year term. Tanya will be running for re-election.
  • The term for Tim Foster will be up in 2021. His seat is up for election for a 3 year term. Tim will be stepping down from the Board and is not running for re-election.
Nominations will open on June 15 and close September 20. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
OPPORTUNITIES

A Special Invitation for Young System Directors

The Directors' Forum is offering young credit union and caisse populaires directors an opportunity to attend the fall conference (in-person or virtually) free of charge! 

The Young Credit Union Directors' Bursary was developed many years ago to provide a unique professional development, learning and networking opportunity for system Board Directors under 40. The Bursary covers the cost of their conference registration, which includes all conference sessions, meals served during the conference and activities such as the welcome cocktail reception. It does not cover the cost of transportation to and from the conference venue, accommodations, or the evening meals (which are not part of the conference). It is the sole responsability of the credit union/caisse pop or appliocant to cover these additional expenses. 

This year, there are three bursaries available. Young Directors are invited to apply, and applications will be considered in order of receipt, as long as applicants fulfill the following eligiblity criteria:

  • Aged 39 and under at time of application and during the November 2021 conference 
  • A current board member of an Ontario credit union or caisse populaire (or an intern board member)
  • Demonstrate a commitment to both personal development and that of their credit union or caisse populaire
  • Not have previously received a bursary from the DF in the past
If you are eligible - or know someone who is eligible - don't wait to get your application in!
 
Click to access the Bursary Application

Investing in Director Education

As the system is constantly evolving, so is our programming, to ensure that we remain relevant and address the unique needs of our leadership. Each year, the Directors' Forum provides organizations with a unique opportunity to invest in the professional development and continuing education of credit union Directors.

The DF is not owned or funded by other organizations such as the CCUA, Central 1 or OCA. As such, credit unions and other stakeholder organizations that support our mission through sponsorships, and/or with registrations to our annual conference (or both!), is what enables us to plan, produce and execute the highly-valued programming each and every year.

We are excited for you to check out our brand new sponsorship proposal for the 2021-22 program year, which identifies how your organization can best support the Directors' Forum, and how we can show our appreciation for your generosity! 

Feel free to contact us with your questions at audrey@directorsforum.coop.

 
Click to view the 2021-22 DF Sponsorship Proposal

Virtual Session Recordings

Feel free to check out any of our past virtual session from
September 2020 to present, available online.

Chairs & Vice-Chairs - Join our Mailing List!

The Directors' Forum is in the process of updating its mailing list of Ontario system Chairs and Vice-Chairs. If you have not already done so, or if your organization has recently elected and/or appointed a new Chair/Vice-Chair, please take a moment to let us know by clicking on the image to complete the short form. 
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our 2020-21 Sponsors...
The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank all the organizations who generously sponsored the past program year. We are truly grateful for your continued support in our mission - especially during these challenging times, and we could not have accomplished all that we did this past year with you.
The 2021 Gary Gillam Award Recipients...
The Board extends its warmest congratulations to the two recipients of the Gary Gillam Award, announced this past Friday by Alterna Savings and Central 1: Sarasvati (Sara) Maharajh from the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) and Angela Dzinas from Alterna Savings. They received the award in recognition for their tireless work reinfocing co-operative values and making significant achievements in corporate social responsibility. Thank you for elevating and strengthening the Ontario credit union system!  View the media release.
Longtime sponsor and supporter of the Directors' Forum...

Click logo for information on Cusource and CUDA Director Training!
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For any inquiries, please contact Audrey Aczel, DF Manager at
#1.888.745.5521 x. 24 or via email to audrey@directorsforum.coop
Want to view a past newsletter? CLICK HERE

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